After 90 minutes the scoreline read Everton two and Sunderland nil, an unfair scoreline if only because it didn't show just how dominant the Toffees had been. From start to finish Everton played fantastically, or did Sunderland play very poorly? It's a fair question and probably a bit of both as Everton looked confident with a bit of class while the Black Cats were terrible from the early going as the Toffees walked away with a 2-0 win and three points.
Everton Vs. Sunderland: Toffees Take Three Points From Black Cats With 2-0 Win
Jermaine Beckford got the start for Everton despite Louis Saha's return to the pitch because Tim Cahill was sidelined with a knock and Beckford took advantage of the opportunity by knocking in both of the goals for the home side. Beckford's tallies came on the end of a pair of nice plays by his teammates, the first on a good through ball by Leon Osman and the second a simple tap in after Mikel Arteta did all the work.
A 2-0 halftime lead was more than enough for Everton and probably could have been bigger by full time if not for some unlucky moments in the attacking third. The entire match was seemingly played in Sunderland's half as the Toffees pushed for goals all match long and everyone got involved for the team, from the aforementioned Beckford, Osman and Arteta to Saha, Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman.
The only negative for Everton in the match was an injury to Maouane Fellaini. The Belgian hit the pitch after picking up an ankle injury and after trying to play through the injury for several minutes he had to come off because of the knock.
Only once did Sunderland really threaten to score and it came with the match still in reach at 1-0. A lovely move set up Stephane Sessegnon and he belted one that looked goal bound, but Tim Howard did well to get the slightest of touches to it and knock it onto the bar.
Sunderland has now lost four consecutive matches and the Black Cats are now down to eighth in the table, even on points with Bolton, but trailing on goal difference. With away matches to Arsenal and Manchester City and a visit from Liverpool as their next three matches, Sunderland's losing streak could very well stretch to seven.
Meanwhile, the win moved Everton up four spots in the table to 10th on 33 points, although their next match is out of league as they take on Reading in a fifth round FA Cup tie.
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